A mayor's duty to be impartial

THE former UUP mayor of Belfast, Jim Rodgers, has opposed a visit by Pope Francis to the city, saying: "It would cause disturbances and the Pope should go somewhere near the border with a higher Catholic population."

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In the 2011 census, the Armagh council area recorded a 48.4% Catholic population against 48% Protestant. In the Belfast council area, 48.6% Catholic and 42.3% Protestant. But these figures should not be a factor.

The primary function of the mayors of Belfast is to represent all the people of the city, regardless of colour, creed and race.

TOM COOPER

Dublin

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